General Records of the Department of Energy [DOE]
(Record Group 434)
1915-96 (bulk 1927-85)
Table of Contents
- 434.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
- 434.2 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL ENERGY ADMINISTRATION AND ITS
PREDECESSORS 1946-71
- 434.3 RECORDS OF THE DOE CENTRAL OFFICE
1927-96 (bulk 1960-85)
- 434.3.1 Records of the Office of Public Affairs
- 434.3.2 Records of the Office of Safeguards and Security
- 434.3.3 Records of the Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale
Reserves
- 434.3.4 Records of the Office of Strategic Petroleum Reserve
- 434.3.5 Records of the Office of Domestic and International Energy Policy
- 434.3.6 Records of the History Division of the Office of the
Executive Secretariat
- 434.3.7 Other records
- 434.4 RECORDS OF DOE FIELD OFFICES
1915-94
- 434.4.1 Records of the Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho Falls,
ID
- 434.4.2 Records of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- 434.4.3 Records of other field sites
- 434.5 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
1948-82
- 434.6 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
Established: Effective October 1, 1977, by the Department of Energy Organization Act (91 Stat. 569), August 4, 1977, and EO 12009, September 13, 1977, consolidating functions formerly vested in the Energy Research and Development Administration, the Federal Energy Administration, the Federal Power Commission, and other agencies.
Predecessor Agencies:
-
Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) and its
predecessors:
Manhattan Engineer District (MED), Office of the Chief of Engineers, War Department (1942-47)
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC, 1946-74)
Office of Coal Research (OCR), Department of the Interior (1960- 74)
ERDA (1974-77) - Federal Energy Administration (FEA) and its predecessors:
- In the Department of the Interior:
Oil and Gas Division (1946-55)
Office of Oil and Gas (1955-74)
Oil Import Administration (OIA, 1959-71, functions to Office of Oil and Gas)
Oil Import Appeals Board (OIAB, 1959-71)
OIAB, Office of Hearings and Adjustment (1971-74)
Office of Energy Conservation (1973-74)
Office of Energy Data and Analysis (1973-74)
Office of Petroleum Allocation (1973-74) - Federal Energy Office (FEO) and its predecessors:
National Energy Office, Executive Office of the President (EOP, 1973)
Federal Energy Policy Office, EOP (1973)
FEO (1973-74)
FEA (1974-77)
- In the Department of the Interior:
- Other predecessors of the Department of Energy:
- In the Department of Commerce:
Office of Energy Programs (1975-77) - In the Department of the Interior:
Bonneville Power Administration (1937-77)
Southwestern Power Administration (1943-77)
Southeastern Power Administration (1950-77)
Alaska Power Administration (1967-77) - Independent agencies:
Federal Power Commission (FPC, 1920-77)
- In the Department of Commerce:
Functions: Administers and coordinates federal energy programs, including the nuclear weapons program. Engages in energy technology research and development. Markets power generated by federal hydroelectric projects. Promotes energy conservation.
Regulated petroleum imports under Presidential Proclamation 3279, March 10, 1959, until repeal by Presidential Proclamation 5141, December 22, 1983.
Security-Classified Records: This record group may include material that is security-classified.
Related Records:
Record copies of publications of the Department of Energy in RG 287, Publications of the U.S. Government.
Records of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, RG 138.
Records of the Petroleum Administrative Board, RG 232.
Records of the Bonneville Power Administration, RG 305.
Records of the Atomic Energy Commission, RG 326.
Records of the Southwestern Power Administration, RG 387.
Records of the Energy Research and Development Administration, RG 430.
Records of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, RG 431.
434.2 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL ENERGY ADMINISTRATION AND ITS
PREDECESSORS
1946-71
History: Oil and Gas Division established in Department of the
Interior under authority of a Presidential letter, May 3, 1946,
and Secretary of the Interior's implementing order, May 6, 1946.
Responsible for unifying and coordinating federal petroleum
policy for conservation and national petroleum security purposes.
Redesignated Office of Oil and Gas, 1955.
Oil Import Administration established in Department of the
Interior pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 3279, March 10,
1959, regulating importation of petroleum and petroleum products.
Responsible for allocating imports and issuing import licenses.
Merged into Office of Oil and Gas, October 22,
1971.
Oil Import Appeals Board established in Department of the
Interior, also pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 3279, March
10, 1959, to hear petitions and appeals from persons affected by
import regulations. Assigned to Office of Hearings and Appeals,
Department of the Interior, December 23, 1971.
Office of Energy Conservation established in Department of the
Interior by Secretarial Order 2953, May 7, 1973, to develop
programs for energy conservation and more efficient utilization
of energy resources.
Office of Energy Data and Analysis established in Department of
the Interior by Secretarial Order 2953, May 7, 1973, to
coordinate functions relating to gathering and analyzing energy
data.
Office of Petroleum Allocation established in Department of the
Interior by Secretarial Order 2956, November 6, 1973, to
administer the petroleum allocation provisions of the Economic
Stabilization Act Amendments of 1973 (87 Stat. 27), April 30,
1973.
National Energy Office established in Executive Office of the
President by EO 11712, April 18, 1973, to advise the President on
energy matters. Abolished by EO 11726, June 28, 1973, with
functions transferred to Federal Energy Policy Office, EOP.
Federal Energy Office, with independent agency status,
established as successor to Federal Energy Policy Office by EO
11748, December 4, 1973.
Federal Energy Administration established as an independent
agency, effective June 28, 1974, by the Federal Energy
Administration Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 96), May 7, 1974, and
implementing EO 11790, June 25, 1974, absorbing the Federal
Energy Office; the Offices of Oil and Gas, Energy Conservation,
Energy Data and Analysis, and Petroleum Allocation, Department of
the Interior; and succeeding to the functions of the Department
of the Interior with respect to allocation of petroleum imports
and OIAB under terms of Presidential Proclamation 3279. FEA
abolished, with functions transferred to DOE, 1977. SEE 434.1
and 434.3.
Textual Records: Central files of the Oil and Gas Division, 1946-
53. Allocation files of the Oil Import Administration, 1957-71.
434.3 RECORDS OF THE DOE CENTRAL OFFICE
1927-96 (bulk 1960-85)
History: In addition to incorporating FEA (SEE 434.2) and ERDA
pursuant to the Department of Energy Organization Act, DOE
absorbed the functions of the abolished Office of Energy
Programs, Department of Commerce; continued the Bonneville,
Southwestern, Southeastern, and Alaska Power Administrations,
acquired from the Department of the Interior; and continued the
formerly independent Federal Power Commission as the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission.
The Office of Energy Programs had been established in the
Department of Commerce by Department Organization Order 25-7A,
effective September 24, 1975, to implement industrial energy
conservation and utilization programs.
The Bonneville, Southwestern, Southeastern, and Alaska Power
Administrations had been established in the Department of the
Interior to promote water resource development and to market
surplus power generated by federal hydroelectric projects:
Bonneville Power Administration by the Bonneville Project Act (50
Stat. 731), August 20, 1937; Southwestern Power Administration,
effective September 1, 1943, by Secretarial Order 1865, August
31, 1943, pursuant to EO 9366, July 30, 1943, and EO 9373, August
30, 1943; Southeastern Power Administration by Secretarial Order
2558, March 21, 1950; and Alaska Power Administration by
Secretarial Order 2900, June 16, 1967.
The Federal Power Commission had been established as an
independent agency by the Federal Power Act (41 Stat. 1063), June
10, 1920, to regulate interstate aspects of the electric and
natural gas industries.
434.3.1 Records of the Office of Public Affairs
Textual Records: Press releases, speeches, and fact sheets
("Information Files"), 1973-79.
Photographs (59,420 images): Research activities of DOE and its
predecessors; atomic weapons testing; energy sources and uses,
including nuclear power; portraits of AEC commissioners and
Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B.
Johnson, 1945-81 (SF, N, ND, NE; 54,900 images). Portraits of AEC
commissioners and other officials of DOE and its predecessors;
research staff; and prominent persons in government and the field
of atomic energy, 1947-78 (PE, PN; 4,000 images). AEC research
activities, 1960-63 (COP, CON; 520 images). SEE ALSO 434.6.
Motion Pictures (six 16mm reels): Network news documentaries relating to
energy conservation policy development, 1974-77; films relating to technical fuel testing,
1982; publicity films for "Project Independence" national energy policy hearings, 1974; and
Reserved for Tomorrow, a DOE film focusing on on the Strategic Oil Reserve program, 1977.
Video Recordings (67 items):
Press conferences held by President Jimmy Carter, Secretaries of Energy James R. Schlesinger
and Charles W. Duncan, and other Department of Energy officials, 1977-80. Appearances by
Schlesinger and Duncan at official DOE ceremonies and briefings, and on network news programs
such as "Issues and Answers," "Face the Nation," and "Meet the Press," 1977-80. Lectures and
interviews featuring various DOE employees, including doctors, administrators, and scientists,
speaking about such subjects as nuclear waste disposal, radiation accidents, nuclear safety, and
the design and development of nuclear reactors, 1983-86.
Sound Recordings (2 items):
Audiotape cassette recordings of "Face the Nation" interviews with Secretary of Energy
James R. Schlesinger, 1977-78.
Color Slides (6,000 images): Energy sources and uses, 1965-80
(S). SEE ALSO 434.6.
Posters (59 images): Publicizing DOE programs and activities, for
distribution during National Science and Technology Week and
Energy Awareness Month, 1987-96 (P). SEE ALSO 434.6.
Finding Aids: Captions to series SF, N, ND, and NE.
434.3.2 Records of the Office of Safeguards and Security
Posters (59 images): Promoting safety and security awareness,
1983-93 (SP). SEE ALSO 434.6.
434.3.3 Records of the Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale
Reserves
Textual Records: Litigation files concerning Colorado River water
rights, 1961-92. Statistical summaries and reports on oil and gas
production in the naval petroleum reserves, 1927-62.
Maps (40 items): Thirty-nine maps relating to Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 3, Casper/Natrona
County, WY (including "Teapot Dome"), and one map relating to Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4,
Point Barrow, AK, c. 1922-38.
Color Slides (730 images): Navy clean-up efforts at Naval
Petroleum Reserve No. 4, Point Barrow, AK, 1969-76 (NPR). SEE
ALSO 434.6.
Lantern Slides (27 images): Views of Naval Petroleum Reserve No.
1, Elk Hills, CA; and graphs and maps relating to crude oil
supply and demand, n.d. (LS). SEE ALSO 434.6.
434.3.4 Records of the Office of Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Photographic Prints (50 images): Views of six strategic petroleum
reserve installations, 1978-80 (PR). SEE ALSO 434.6.
434.3.5 Records of the Office of Domestic and International Energy
Policy
Textual records: Declassified national energy strategy subject files, 1987-93.
434.3.6 Records of the History Division of the Office of the
Executive Secretariat
Textual Records: File containing memorandums, transcripts of
interviews, and news clippings, 1940-85, compiled in connection
with a Department of Defense project to restore the McDonald
Ranch House, Alamagordo, NM, assembly site of the first atomic
bomb.
434.3.7 Other records
Textual Records: Research and development reports ("Intra-bureau
Reports"), 1945-57, compiled by the Division of Interfuels
Studies of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior,
and transferred to DOE custody following abolition of the
division in 1977 and transfer of its personnel to DOE. Report of
the National Petroleum Council on petroleum storage and
transportation capacities, 1979. Records of the Division of Biomedical
and Environmental Research relating to the study of health and mortality
among atomic energy workers ("Mancuso Study"), 1957-79. Records of the Office of
the Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System (ANGTS),
including reports to Congress and the President, 1979-92; legislation files, 1977-88;
newsletters, press releases, publicity brochures and other general project information
products, 1979-82; budget analyses and related documents, 1979-91; ANGTS "Eastern Leg"
historical reports, 1982-84; and various compliance manuals, n.d.
Photographs (3024 images): Color prints (441), negatives (44), and
slides (2539) produced by the Office of the Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural
Gas Transportation System (ANGTS) to document various stages in the development of the
Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, 1980-82,
and to appear as illustrations in 1983 and 1984 ANGTS textual reports.
434.4 RECORDS OF DOE FIELD OFFICES
1915-94
434.4.1 Records of the Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho Falls,
ID
Textual Records: Security-classified reports, laboratory notebooks, and logs, 1942-78.
Legal correspondence of EG&G, Inc.,an ERDA contractor, 1946 and prior. Project planning and
description files and master planning files, including interfiled as-built
design drawings, relating to the construction of the nuclear
reactor ("Borax Building") at the Idaho Falls branch of Argonne
National Laboratory, 1953-80 (in Seattle).
434.4.2 Records of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
Textual Records (in San Francisco): Records originated and
collected by Director Edwin McMillan, including correspondence,
1973-84; scientific notes, 1931-82; "crank file," 1927-84;
daybooks and calendars, 1940-83; and research papers and
published reports, including nuclear studies, 1920-84. Research
records and correspondence of physicist Luis Alvarez, 1946-81.
Records and correspondence of biochemist and Chemical Biodynamics
Laboratory Director Melvin Calvin, 1960-77. Records relating to
the Time Production Chamber Project, 1976-78. Records of the
Scientific and Educational Advisory Committee, 1972-78.
Operations logs and other records relating to the 184-inch
cyclotron, 1946-87. Significant project planning and design
files, 1941-87.
Photographs (4,525 images, in San Francisco): Laboratory
buildings, equipment, scientists, and activities, 1915-84,
collected by Director McMillan (1,525 images). Continuous tone
prints of laboratory research, 1973-80 (3,000 images). SEE ALSO
434.6.
434.4.3 Records of other field sites
Textual records: Record set of publications documenting the history of the Office
of Scientific and Technical Information, 1946-94.
Photographs (15,250 images): Construction, facilities, and
community life at Manhattan Project sites, Oak Ridge, TN, 1942-46
(OR, ORN). SEE ALSO 434.6.
Posters (4 images): Promoting work site safety, Richland
Operations Office, WA, ca. 1982 (RP). SEE ALSO 434.6.
Finding Aids: Shelf list to series OR and ORN.
434.5 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
1948-82
Public information films, produced or acquired by the Department
of Energy and its predecessors, for distribution through the
Technical Information Center, Oak Ridge, TN, and relating mainly
to the peaceful uses of atomic energy, but including also such
subjects as solar and geothermal energy, photosynthesis, nuclear
materials safeguards and management, coal research, and nuclear
weapons tests, 1948-82.
Subject Access Terms: Operation Crossroads; Operation Sandstone;
Operation Greenhouse; Operation Longshot.
434.6 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
SEE Photographs UNDER 434.3.1, 434.4.2, and 434.4.3.
SEE Photographic Prints UNDER 434.3.4.
SEE Color Slides UNDER 434.3.1 and 434.3.3.
SEE Lantern Slides UNDER 434.3.3.
SEE Posters UNDER 434.3.1, 434.3.2, and 434.4.3.
Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.
This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.
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